My Dearest MacKynzie,
As I read through the Bible I realize that it contains so much timeless wisdom, specifically in the parables. I think it’s amazing that stories from so long ago can still apply to our life today and I can’t help but think that maybe they were written specifically for us. As we get consumed with issues from our world, God will speak to us through the words and stories in the Bible. We have heard the parable of the talents many times but I think now more than ever, we can rely on it to lead us through. Here is a reminder of the story:
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The ending sounds a little harsh, especially when we look at today’s culture. What is popular in the world is often a contradiction of the lessons we learn while reading the Bible. As you read back on this letter, you will have memories of 2020 and 2021. There has been more anger, fear and confusion in the last year than I’ve seen in my whole lifetime. I think if we are not intentional during times like these, it is easy to get lost in the world’s perspective and lose the wisdom taught to us through Jesus. Our eyes have been opened to so many things but are we seeking God to give us the solutions instead of the world?
Among the many hot topics trending on social media, systemic racism and social injustice is often at the top. We have our own thoughts and opinions about the topic, but what does God say?
As I reflect on this question and dig deeper into the parable of the talents, I realize a couple of things. The first is that the story does not say that the talents were given to the servants to keep, only to manage. Secondly, the master cared deeply about their stewardship. Thirdly, he did not give the servants equal amounts. ‘To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.’
Our current Vice President posted a video that illustrated how we all start off in different places. According to the video, it is our job as a society to make sure that everyone starts at the same place (with equal amounts of talents) so that we can end up at the top together. At the surface, it sounds great but I can’t help but believe that is the world’s perspective, not God’s.
I think back on a visitor we had for several months. This 18 year old kid was funny, smart and had so much potential. We invited him to live with us to get him out of a bad situation in Nashville. During this time, he went through several jobs and did very little to pull his weight around the house. Every time he quit a job, it was always someone else’s fault. All of his life people had been telling him that he was oppressed and needed assistance to get through. Even though I saw much potential in him and knew he could change the world, he was set on his perception that he was a victim because he was only given one talent so he took it and buried it in the dirt. I think back on that situation and I am sad that I could not help him realize that he has one talent to do great things with.
Instead of giving people the same amount of talents (money, things, skills, abilities, experiences, etc), shouldn’t we be encouraging people to take the talents they’ve been given and empower them to appreciate what they’ve been given and help them steward it well? I believe this is one reason that most people end up broke shortly after they win the lottery. Their mind is set on worldly ways of stewardship, not God’s ways. We are taking talents from the good and faithful servants and giving them to the wicked and slothful servant… that’s backwards. If we stop enabling and start empowering, I believe that is where real change will happen. Making sure that everyone starts off with the same amount of talents so we can all end up at the same place is not realistic and it is not God’s plan for us.
My loving advice to you. Instead of looking for handouts, more things or more money, thank God every day for what you’re been given and make the best of it. Life is NOT fair. Paul was in prison with nothing after being beaten and his reaction was to praise God, ‘rejoice in the Lord always’ (Philippians 4:4). What an amazing example of how we can live our lives. Don’t ever play a victim no matter what your situation or the cards you’ve been dealt. Instead take the talent(s) you’ve been given and steward them well. Love people unconditionally but do not enable. It sounds easy when life is rainbows and butterflies but can you do it when you are facing real challenges like Paul?
My love to you and my prayer for an amazing life! Live to inspire <3 to create!
The purpose of this letter is to inspire my daughter MacKynzie to live a prosperous, God loving, joyful, legacy building life. Who knows, it may help you too. Please ‘like’ if you found this letter useful and please ‘share’ if you want to help inspire others. You never know who is watching ;)